Bronze company had crossed the Guarded Plain with little difficulty. Old battle scars could be seen in the grass-swathed ground, along with the Hauhgien Nirneodiad, the great Mound of Tears, consisting of piled military equipment and broken Poke Balls, which a lawn of verdant flora covered ever after the Terramist Wars.

The trio was swiftly processed at the Cragonos Ferry, each getting a boarding 'pass,' that consisted of nothing more that a RFID chip that automatically paid and registered a flight to Anthien City, a two-way journey.

"I would not go to Anthien just now, if that is what you were going to do."

Bronze turned, along with Tess and Jake, to see a woman in large white coat, sporting hair so blond a flowing that it could have been a collection of wheat stalks, with a Gothitelle by her side. Bronze felt like he was being watched by many eyes, the source of his sudden awareness unknown.

"I am Lady Caitlin of the Unova Elite Four," The woman began." And the Sinnoh Battle Castle Queen, dwelling in Roria for a season. Have you both seen the Hauhgien Nirneodiad? What a testament to war, and the healing from it."

"I think we will take you advice," Jake said. "When you give us a reason to trust you other than some highbrow title.

"I understand you may be confused by my warning, but me and my Gothitelle rarely feel such a strong premonition as we did surrounding you three, and still do. If you go on the lower terminal, a grave fate awaits you three, and possibly others. However, if you climb Mount Cragrock and take the summit terminal, this fate may be avoided. I would even say that many lives hang in the balance, but the nature of the threat is unclear."

Tess looked at the sun-shrouded mountain. "I still don't know if I want to climb that, all the way to the top...we don't have any Pokémon that can fly."

Bronze realized that something was off about her statement. "Wait, what? You have a Garchomp! The only reason that we didn't bring it here was because of the restricted airspace!"

"Well, most Garchomp can fly," Tess said. "But not this one. Actually, Waffle can fly, just not with a rider. I don't know why it hates flying, it just goes insane whenever you try to mount it. The first time I did it...that was some repair job, that's all I'm going to say."

"Wise words, young mistress." Caitlin said. "It is not difficult to climb to Cragonos Peak. The way is paved and well traversed. Forth, and fear no darkness."

With that, she touched Gothitelle's arm and disappeared, the dark fabric of Space rippling around her, a rush of compressing air filling the vacuum.

The trio sat down on a steelweave terminal bench to discuss this turn of events, Jake speaking first.

"I think we should listen to her, that Lady Caitlin. We all know that was her, of course. She is a very strong trainer, and her innate psychic abilities make her Pokémon stronger, along with heightening her awareness to supernatural levels. Who knows what could happen on our flight? It could crash, or we would be injured in some way. Who knows? Climbing Cragrock could be fun, and we aren't in a rush. The Championship is a long ways away, and Tess needs to see all the sights that the North has to offer."

Bronze was skeptical. "I think we should listen to her, but I really don't see why we have to go all the way up Mount Cragrock. I say we should wait a few flights, and inspect the one we go on to see if anything is wrong."

It was one on one now. Bronze did want to be careful, but he didn't like Lady Caitlin that much. The way she looked at him...piercing in a way that he never believed could have been possible.

Tess eventually reached her decision. "I think we should go up the mountain. Psychic Pokémon work in strange ways, and if one detects a bad omen surrounding us if we go on the lower terminal, we shouldn't go on the lower terminal, not now, not ever. I haven't ever been to a mountain anyways. Well, I've seen this one a lot, that's for sure, but grandpa never let me climb it."

"Fine," Bronze conceded. "We'll go up the mountain. But I don't care what Lady Caitlin says, the central caverns are very dangerous. We are going have to stick together, rely on our Pokémon, smarts, and the buddy system to prevent us from running into any real danger. Jake, you might want to get out those Escape Ropes, now."

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"So, Shaymin is gone too?" Oak muttered. "Good god! Soon, they'll be capturing every single Legendary! And we are supposed to believe that this is all Team Rocket? They don't seem intelligent enough to pull all this off."

"That's not all," The Chairman said, sitting in his longue at the Bagoon. "The Rocket activity is only going to increase, judging by what we have been seeing, and a few broadcasts we have intercepted reveal that some operation of unknown nature is going to come down on Anthien City soon."

"Broadcasts?" Oak said. "Team Rocket, or someone else? Sebastian says that it was Team Eclipse that attempted to capture Groudon. Do you think that-"

"Yes, I think it is Team Eclipse that is causing all these issues." The Chairman moaned. "Is that what you wanted me to say? And these 'broadcasts' all originate from radio towers that are owned by dummy corporations, ones owned by none other than Team Eclipse or their affiliates. Still, we have no evidence to put forth a large enough lawsuit...the Bronze kid, he could help us with that. But we need more time..."

"I'll tell the Pokedex Holders to arrive at Anthien, we need more of our allies there." Oak said. "Anything else I should know?"

"Yeah. The Commissioner also told me Operative Blake and Looker are under deep cover and landed at Anthein, yesterday. Police presence is being heightened wherever possible. Terrible for the Rorian PR, but the Terramist's have hardly any power left. Gold and Crystal have arrived already as well, and Sun and Moon too. The Sinnoh crew told Rowan they were heading over now, a piece of information that he related to me."

"Good." Oak said. "We have to nip this thing in the bud. If you see any Eclipse members, try to arrest them for charges of Pokémon theft, of course, or a prior offense. We can't overstep our lawful boundaries, but we can try to twist the rules. I don't know anything about the Hoenn or Kalos Pokedex Holders, however, I'll have to get to them. And, Silver is still missing! Have the Association on standby, and try to get anything you can leading up to this. I want everything relating to 'Team Rocket,' or Team Eclipse activity relating to Anthein."

Sycamore jumped in, who had been silent for the bulk of the meeting. "How do we know that Team Eclipse won't just escape our watch, like they already have? They slip out, disguise themselves as Team Rocket rankers...nothing we can put together works!"

The Chairman sighed. "That's the thing. They won't, or can't escape. They should already know that we are going to strike from their insider sources, whoever they are, but the messages continue as if we weren't, although they may think that we are stupid enough to believe that they are Team Rocket operatives talking. Whatever this is, it's so big that they can't stop it, aren't willing to stop, or they hope to slip past us on Anthein."

A light glowed on a nearby monitor, the secure phone ringing. Oak got up, shuffled over, and answered the call.

"Hm?"

"What?!"

"No...no! No, this can't be right! All that funding, all those lives...gone?! I am going to give the Commissioner hell for this!"

Oak slammed the phone down on the wall socket, crushing the cover. The Professor's face fell, a pallor reserved for the ravages of time and grief covering it.

"A...explosive has been detonated as the Devon High Security Prison. Several prisoners and guards were killed or injured in a cave in, but many high profile inmates escaped, including Colress and Ghetsis. Lysandre was sighted flying away, but the guards were too hard pressed to deal with him. All the worst are gone. Charon, Xerosic too. This was a planned strike, explosives were used, the control room had been raided, causing a riot before the explosion."

"Also, security camera footage shows that the operatives responsible for the breakout...were dressed in the uniforms of Team Rocket."

Silence.

The Chairman coughed, clearing his fogged glasses. "So, if Team Eclipse is behind this, then that means they have just had some of the worst villains we have ever faced escape from containment, and possibly have had them join their cause. This is nothing short than a declaration of war!"

"And a declaration that we can't retaliate on!" Oak yelled. "See if you can get a executive order in to suspend habeas corpus when arresting Team Eclipse members. Make sure that the IP is acting on the bulletin for the escaped prisoners! And tell me...can you pardon me if I kill the Commissioner?!"

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Bronze stumbled on a loose stone, one that lay on the outlying path of Cragonos Mountain. He wavered, seeing the forest far below, and wondered how far he would fall be for he hit the bottom.

There was still a long way to the top, and Jake's Spearow, caught only a while ago, couldn't carry any of them. Looking down at the distant, black specks that were the ships flying into the far-away ports of Anthien City, Bronze saw that none of then had had any problems or had crashed, including the one they were ready to board before their change of heart.

The party had faced many dangers on their trek. Wild Pokémon were a constant menace, and the Rangers of Roria, as persistent as they were, could not wholly make the threat cease. The trio had passed through a old, circular mining shaft, and now they moved through the darkened tunnels to the east side of the mountain, coming from the north.

"Hey!" Tess yelled, a bit above Bronze. "Jake and I found a staircase, and a sign saying that it's the safest route. Jake sent Leafeon to check for hazards, and it's clear. If we can get to the east face through the mine, then we'll be able to go a lot faster, right?"

"Of course," Bronze replied. "But we haven't seen anyone, not since the Ranger near the foothills. I wonder who we will see, if anyone. Throw down that rope, would you?"

After catching up with the others and entering a water-saturated cavern, Bronze climbed up the perilously rickety staircase, brushing ancient cobwebs away as he climbed, and headed through a decrepit mineshaft tunnel. A few natural beams of light shone from various openings in the overburdened stone, giving the entire passage a tranquil aura, of peace in the darkest places.

At the end of the long tunnel was a glimmer of full sunlight, signaling the bend to the eastern side of Cragrock. The ruins of Logarian mining tunnels branched off the main shaft, some chocked with fallen rock, others going down into darkness.

About half of the way, Bronze heard voices coming from a one of these such passages to this right. Stopping, he eavesdropped on a arrogant male voice, a angry female one, and a dull male one, three separate sounds eking out of the unlighted hall.

"Seriously, Ken? You got the bombs all wrong! Look, this block goes here, not there!"

"What do you know, woman? Get back to the blueprints! You must have drawn something wrong, or the stupid Intelligence Department! It isn't my fault, I say!"

"Uh, Ariana, I think I forgot to link the detonator to the explosive software..."

"You insufferable imbeciles! How can you call yourselves members of Team Rocket, as we attempt to rise once more?! You deserved to be demoted anyway, Ariana, for that stunt you pulled in the Sinjoh Ruins, and siding with that madman Archer."

"Shut up, Ken!"

"It too dark in here, guys, I forgot where I put the detonator."

"SHUT UP!"

Tess and Jake had noticed that Bronze was lagging behind.

"Hey, Bronze?" Jake said. "What are ya doing? Is there a Pokémon down there, or what-"

Bronze shushed them. The voices suddenly went quiet, until the arrogant male voice yelled a challenge.

"Hey, I just heard somebody! Come out, or we'll blast you off this mountain!"

Whatever these Team Rocket members were doing, it involved explosives, which meant destruction and danger for the Pokémon that lived on the mountain, and the people around it. Also, these were definitely not Team Eclipse members disguised as Team Rocket, since they had proclaimed their allegiance to the actual Team Rocket when they were in private. Bronze motioned to Jake and Tess, wanting them to follow him into the passage.

It was quite dark, with a cold draft blowing, but the passage gave way to a modest-sized cavern, lit by a few hastily-placed electric lamps. Bronze could make out many red, beeping devices strapped to sheer stone wall, along with a large grunt, a plump woman waving herself with a fan, and a man in a beret with spiky blond hair.

"Kids!" The blond man exclaimed. "I hate kids! Always messing up my boss's plans! What is with all the kids?! First, it was the incident at Silph Co. Then, it was the Johto League issue. After that, the whole Deoxys incident blew up in our faces. And don't even get me started on the Arceus thing! Kids, it is always kids!"

"Yeah, but we're not operating on the bosses orders, Ken." The woman added. "Yeah, we're blasting this wall so we can get at the rare crystals buried within, and cause avalanche which will destroy those stupid Eclipse thugs camped below! This mountain is our territory, not those arrogant upstarts!"

"Shut up, again!" Ken yelled. "I am Team Rocket Commander Ken, and I will not tolerate your unrestrained blabbing! You are only giving them this information because you assume they are weaker than us!"

Bronze tried to reason with them. "Hey, we are not allies of Team Rocket, but we hate Team Eclipse just as much as you, if probably more. We have attempted to stop many of their operations in Roria, and Tess here is why they didn't capture Kyogre."

"Bah!" Ken scoffed. "Ametur tactics! Team Rocket has been harrasing Eclipse members whenever possible. They are giving us a bad rap, performing operations in our uniforms! Why, we stopped a shipment of Ultra Balls commendered by Team Eclipse just a few days ago! Me, Ariana, and the big guy are going all over the south to disrupt Team Eclipse movements, not under Giovanni's orders, of course. He is busy with other things, with his son hunting him, and all."

"Son?"

The dull grunt chuckled. "Yeah, Giovanni's son, Silver! After the thing that happened with, uh, Arceus, the guy has been out for Giovanni-"

"Quiet! And, young master, what do you know?" Ken spat. "My brother joined those Eclipse cretins! Something about opposition to Pokémon battles, or wanting a new world, I think. The fool. Pokémon exist for use. They exist to further the glory of Team Rocket! Hear my words, Kett, I shall never forgive you! Never!"

"My parents...probably joined Team Eclipse." Bronze said, exhaling. "I don't know why, but I have my suspicions that it was not willingly. I have sworn an oath to hinder their movements and schemes, no matter how beneficial and helpful they sound."

Ken looked at him rather wistfully. "I believe you, young master. Regardless, the blast will probably collapse this cavern. I suggest you leave with us, if you don't want to be in a far-future museum...run by Team Rocket, of course! We will rule the world one day, it is inevitable! And don't even think about trying to fight us. We'll totally crush you, and this time I mean it!"

Bronze and Jake smiled, Tess twiddling her thumbs. "We weren't going to fight you."

Ken glared at them. "What is so funny?"

Bronze mirthlessly laughed. "Well, while we were talking, Tess's Bagon chewed the wires connecting the explosives. I guess you didn't notice her send it out in this darkness."

Ken and the other goons looked around frantically, to see that the wires had been completely cut, with Bagon behind them, shreds of the foamcircultry still in it's mouth.

"Charmeleon, Smoke Bomb."

The smoke erupted in a spherical radius, blasting into the Rocket member's faces, causing them to cough and sputter. Bronze sent out Electabuzz, which threw a spark at the mess of smoke. Instantly, a charge ran through the haze, electrocuting the Rocket rankers into a dead faint.

"Great work, everyone! Glad to get these criminals off the streets." Jake said. "Let's have Spearow and Bagon dismantle the rest of the explosives, but we should leave their disposal to the police, if you have any questions, look at the blueprints. Garchomp will carry the big guy and Ken, while Electabuzz will carry Ariana out and tie them on the western face, so somebody finds them."

"Later, Bronze talked to Tess in the main shaft. "I guess Caitlin was right. Maybe it wasn't that anything bad would happen to us if we went on the lower terminal, but that something bad would happen to the mountain and the people surrounding it. I am glad we stopped these Rocket goons, although I wonder if they had a nugget of truth in wanting to harass Team Eclipse. If there actually are members camped at the base, we can't remove them, but that does give me an idea..."

Tess nodded, curious. "I would still say that Team Eclipse is worse, because Team Rocket is attempting to be evil. That means that their ranks are filled with inexperienced and petty criminals. But Team Eclipse is far more intelligent and subtle, just look at their public speakers. They can get what they want by flattery and bribery when force doesn't work. I can't believe your parents may have joined them, the entire concept seems rotten. What idea are you talking about, anyway?"

"We need to swear an oath." Bronze said. "All three of us, to be opposed to Team Eclipse. We would have to swear on Arceus for it to work, and we could not break it."

Jake, after finishing his business, joined the others. "A oath, like a old-fashioned one? Couldn't we just swear never to join or help Team Eclipse?"

"Sure, but this way is more fun, and who knows? Perhaps Arceus will help us."

The trio put their hands in the center of a huddle, and followed what Bronze said, word by word.

"Be they friend or foe, be they wicked or clean,"

"Trainer or Pokémon or stranger,"

"Neither law, or temptation, love, or strength,"

"Neither dread or danger, not Death itself,"

"Shall spare them from Bronze, Tess, and Jake,"

"Whoever joins, aids, abets, or supports,"

"Team Eclipse. This we swear:"

"A fight 'till the worlds ending we pursue!"

"Hear our words, Arceus Elyon!"

"To the everlasting Darkness doom us,"

"If our oath is not kept. Hear us in witness, upon Mount Cragonos!"

And that was all. Much later, Bronze would realize what had come about because of this Oath, and Jake and Tess all too well. The trio found the archaic style of the words amusing as they continued their climb, but anything sworn on Arceus has its consequences.

Jake, you fool. You would find out what such a Oath entailed.